Do Expats have influence in Thailand's life?

bazza40 · September 23, 2015

I get enough frustration from what goes on Australia. Why would I want to add to it by trying to exert influence here, even assuming I could?

It's definitely an advantage to learn some Thai, even on a rudimentary basis. Purely for your own benefit, so you can communicate basic needs.

My recommendation would be to stay out of Thai politics, and respect Thai culture. While there may be some aspects of "Thainess" which frustrate falangs, IMHO the good outweighs the bad, or far fewer of us would be here.

" Mai bpen rai" and "Jai Yenn" are good starting points.

gandalf12 · September 23, 2015

Why would I want to come and live in another country and want to infuence it? I came to Thailand. been here over 30 years now, because I enjoy the country and most of the things that go with that. We all dislike something no matter what country we are in, but for me Thailand is the perfect place.

bazza40 · September 23, 2015

Mark Zuckerberg is the founder of Facebook. I took this as humor.

Actually, it's not all that funny. Julian Assange is vilified by governments for exposing embarrassing details of their dealings with other governments. Assange is cast as a villain.

Mark Zuckerberg has become a billionaire by selling the personal details of everyone who joins Facebook to other companies. Please note, once you have joined Facebook you can't leave, just like the Eagles "Hotel California".

Zuckerberg is a business hero.

Cypress Hill · September 23, 2015

Think about your home country. Do foreigners have any influence in your "home country's life?"

They are afforded more rights buying land comes to mind.

Yeah . . . safe in the knowledge that so few of them can afford to do so.

If you want insight into the reason why so many people in London are priced out, look no further than the rich foreigners buying up prime real estate in Kensington, Mayfair, Knightsbridge.

Creating the same situation here for Thais, most of whom will never be able to afford to buy real estate in their own country, would be moronic.

You people are just looking for a sure thing where the majority of the locals can't compete with you. Sorry but I'm with the Thais on this.

No foreign ownership of land - we've already screwed future generations in our own countries with our greed; we ain't gonna do it here

Try the Thai stock market . . . or is the playing field there too level for you?

Berkshire · September 23, 2015

Think about your home country. Do foreigners have any influence in your "home country's life?"
Our former PM is an Italian.
Many government ministers and local councilors are Turkish, Maroccan, Italian.

Our king is from a German family. Our Queens were Spanish, Italian

And our entire lifestyle is determined by an American, Zuckerberg.

Confused nation....Belgium I think....ah well....Confused, I agree, we should never have let Zuckerberg change our culture.

who or what is Zuckerberg?

Facebook guy.

Cypress Hill · September 23, 2015

Sheer, unbridled indifference. That's what the Thais have towards me and I LOVE it.

I don't have to care about their politics or their social issues.

I have a complete lack of responsibility for what goes on here and I LOVE it.

All I have to do is enjoy the hospitality the country provides

Foreigners should not have influence in Thailand unless it's asked for.

I'm not saying we have nothing to offer but what would you say if a sex tourist turned up in your country and proceeded to tell you how to run it?

If you want a say, become a citizen; otherwise, quit bitching because, if things were so great in your country, you'd still be there, right?

off road pat · September 23, 2015

Think about your home country. Do foreigners have any influence in your "home country's life?"
Our former PM is an Italian.
Many government ministers and local councilors are Turkish, Maroccan, Italian.

Our king is from a German family. Our Queens were Spanish, Italian

And our entire lifestyle is determined by an American, Zuckerberg.

Yes so right,....And for the moment refugees are influencing our country's lifestyle....I am originated from that same country.....and I enjoy Thai hospitality every six months...!

Best regards.

Edited September 23, 2015 by off road pat

nidieunimaitre · September 23, 2015

Think about your home country. Do foreigners have any influence in your "home country's life?"
Our former PM is an Italian.
Many government ministers and local councilors are Turkish, Maroccan, Italian.

Our king is from a German family. Our Queens were Spanish, Italian

And our entire lifestyle is determined by an American, Zuckerberg.

Confused nation....Belgium I think....ah well....

Confused, I agree, we should never have let Zuckerberg change our culture.

who or what is Zuckerberg?

So far, I have counted 3 serious replies to your post.

Ah! The Klingon sense of humour did it again!

ronthai · September 23, 2015

Of course we have influence, although most goes unseen in the background and change takes a long time.

A clear example would be Pattaya, 100% built and sustained by farangs. If we would not have been here Pattaya would still be a lovely original Thai fishing village.

A possibility is that someday a Thai grown up with a farang dad and with non-standard Thai values, will be in Parliament or even PM

Berkshire · September 23, 2015

Think about your home country. Do foreigners have any influence in your "home country's life?"

To answer that question a definate " Yes " So many Cubans settled in Miami after fleeing from Castro run Cuba that all the signs and places had to have Spanish translations . They soon elected a mayor of Miami formerly from Cuba. So many illegal immigrants (foreiners) have crossed over the border from Mexico (some from south America) that now most states have to have bilingual programs to teach them . Huge cost to taxpayers to accomodate these foreigners , provide free health care and housing so yes they have made a huge impact on USA. Over here we have no impact politiocally, Thai don't care what we feel about the way the country is run or any advice we might want to give. The only influance we make is the spending of our money that helps tourist type providers = hotels, restaurants, resorts ect and also the Thai women we marry who get homes , cars , and other monetary benifits of the relationship and their families

Hmmm, you're repeating the GOP party line which isn't entirely true. America is the land of immigrants and Hispanic-Americans have become the largest minority. Their ability to influence policy is the fact that they're Americans, not foreigners/expats. As for all these "costs"...who knows. All I know is that when I was living in America, the existence of expats/foreigners--even illegals--didn't really impact my life at all.

farangmick · September 23, 2015

Any influence Expats have in thailand is all in the mind,such as "we are guests here" which is pure nonsense,unless someone can show me the invitation card.

The truth of the matter is,you are tolerated in Thailand as long as you have money to spend.... first and foremost!

As far as the authorities go, I agree that they would rather we lived in our own countries and simply sent large amounts of money to our wife/girlfriend. As for ordinary Thais, I have nearly always been treated extremely well. Everyone knows through the grapevine that I am not a rich farang, with wife, three kids and a modest pension. No one tries to tap me for money, and I am never charged farang price for goods or services.

Getting back on topic, farangs make up a tiny proportion of the population here, so rightly have no influence on the life of 99% of Thais. How it should be, otherwise Thailand could end up like England, where everything is ordered to accommodate Muslims, and sod the indigenous population.

nithisa78 · September 23, 2015